Origin
Wakefield, NH
Night in Wakefield on Friday
Local time
9:30 PM
EDT
Current temp
35°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Wakefield, NH to Salem, NH
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 40m
Distance
73.6 mi
118 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$12
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 33m
★
6 AM
1h 41m
8 AM
1h 56m
10 AM
1h 46m
12 PM
1h 44m
3 PM
1h 47m
5 PM
1h 55m
8 PM
1h 36m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Wakefield, NH
Wikimedia Commons
Salem, NH
Banx Photography
Trip Overview
The drive from Wakefield, NH to Salem, NH covers 73.6 miles and takes about 1h 40m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Spaulding Turnpike, Blue Star Turnpike, I 495 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 34 miles on Spaulding Turnpike. At current regular gas prices, budget about $11.85 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
36.8 miles from Wakefield, NH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 52m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 40m. Total distance: 73.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 40m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (87%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 1h 40m highway drive covering 73.6 miles, with most of the trip on Spaulding Turnpike and Blue Star Turnpike. The longest continuous stretch is about 34 miles on Spaulding Turnpike.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 16 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Spaulding Turnpike is the longest continuous segment at about 34 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Spaulding Turnpike and Blue Star Turnpike. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 40.6 miles in near I 95 / Blue Star Turnpike.
Driving Effort
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 73.6 miles you will encounter 9 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 40.6 miles (I 95 / Blue Star Turnpike): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 47.9 miles (I 95 / Blue Star Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 55.6 miles (I 495): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 9 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
40.6 mi into trip
|
~57m in
|
I 95 / Blue Star Turnpike
Merge onto I 95 / Blue Star Turnpike
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
47.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 5m in
|
I 95 / Blue Star Turnpike
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 / Blue Star Turnpike
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
6
55.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 14m in
|
I 495
Keep slight right at fork onto I 495 toward I 495 South: Worcester
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 89
Toward I 495 South: Worcester
8
68.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 29m in
Take the exit toward MA 97, MA 110, MA 113: Haverhill, Salem New Hampshire
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 108-107
Toward MA 97, MA 110, MA 113: Haverhill, Salem...
10
68.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 30m in
Keep slight right at fork toward MA 97: Haverhill, Salem New Hampshire
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 108
Toward MA 97: Haverhill, Salem New Hampshire
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Wakefield, NH to Salem, NH, road signs begin pointing toward Salem New Hampshire along the way.
Salem New Hampshire
68.5 mi in
|
~1h 29m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Spaulding Turnpike | 34 mi | 45m |
| Blue Star Turnpike | 14.9 mi | 17m |
| I 495 | 12.9 mi | 14m |
| Wakefield Road | 3.4 mi | 6m |
| White Mountain Highway | 3.2 mi | 4m |
| State Route 97 | 1.8 mi | 3m |
| Broadway | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| Main Street | 1 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
Spaulding Turnpike
— 34 mi, about 45m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Wakefield, NH and Salem, NH.
1
Start on this road
173 ft
·
13 sec
·
this road
2
Turn right onto NH 153
3.4 mi
·
6 min
·
Wakefield Road
3
Take the ramp
185 ft
·
10 sec
4
Turn left onto NH 16
3.2 mi
·
4 min
·
White Mountain Highway
5
Continue on NH 16
34 mi
·
45 min
·
Spaulding Turnpike
Use the slight right lane.
6
Merge onto I 95
7.3 mi
·
8 min
·
Blue Star Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95
7.7 mi
·
8 min
·
Blue Star Turnpike
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork onto I 495
13 mi
·
14 min
·
I 495
Exit 89
Toward I 495 South: Worcester
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
Exit 108-107
Toward MA 97, MA 110, MA 113: Haverhill, Salem New Hampshire
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
Exit 108
Toward MA 97: Haverhill, Salem New Hampshire
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Turn right onto MA 97
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Broadway
12
Continue on MA 97
1.8 mi
·
3 min
·
State Route 97
13
Continue on MA 97
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Ayers Village Road
14
Continue on NH 97
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Main Street
15
Turn left
113 ft
·
8 sec
16
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 36.8 miles from Wakefield, NH, or about 52m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 34 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 16 miles or 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 36.8 miles or 52m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 22m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Salem, NH than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Wakefield, NH so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Wakefield, NH
This is one driving day of about 73.6 miles and 1h 40m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 16 miles from Wakefield, NH.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Spaulding Turnpike for about 34 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 36.8 mi from Wakefield, NH · 52m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
37 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 16 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 36.8 miles from Wakefield, NH, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Salem, NH
The final approach into Salem, NH usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$11.85 one way
$23.70 round trip
$4.09/gal
25.4 MPG avg
26 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.50 | $13.04 | $26.07 |
| premium | $4.86 | $14.09 | $28.19 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $16.25 | $32.50 |
Estimated Tolls: $3.43
Spaulding Turnpike
(34 mi)
$2.38
Blue Star Turnpike
(14.9 mi)
$1.05
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$12
Tolls
$3
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$40–$65
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 25.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 22.1 | 0 | $7.73 | $3.53 |
| Efficient EV | 18.4 | 0 | $6.44 | $2.94 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 29.4 | 0 | $10.30 | $4.71 |
Gas CO2
26 kg
EV CO2
9 kg (65% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Salem, NH
Night in Salem on Friday
Local time
9:30 PM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
42°F
Portsmouth, NH
37 mi in
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
26 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
1h 40m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Wakefield, NH to Salem, NH covers 73.6 miles and takes about 1h 40m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Spaulding Turnpike, Blue Star Turnpike, I 495. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 36.8 miles from Wakefield, NH. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $11.85 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 73.6 miles you will encounter 9 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 40.6 miles (I 95 / Blue Star Turnpike): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 47.9 miles (I 95 / Blue Star Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 55.6 miles (I 495): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
On the drive from Wakefield, NH to Salem, NH, road signs begin pointing toward Salem New Hampshire along the way.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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